Push-pull boot connector for fiber optic cables

ABSTRACT

A push-pull connection includes a push-pull boot connector and an adapter, which are connected together and retained with a latching mechanism. The push-pull boot connector includes a connector housing and a remote release push-pull strain relief boot. The connector housing, when pulled away from the mating face of the adapter, via the strain relief boot, will detach the latching mechanism.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority fromU.S. Provisional Application No. 62/613,266, filed Jan. 3, 2018 in theUnited States Patent and Trademark Office, and U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/640,914, filed Mar. 9, 2018 in the United StatesPatent and Trademark Office, the disclosures of which are incorporatedby reference herein in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter relates generally to connectors for fiberoptic cables.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A datacenter may include a large number, e.g., several dozen or evenhundreds, of cables, e.g., fiber optic cables or other data cables,connected to a hub such as a headend, a server, or a main distributionframe (MDF). The space within datacenters is at a premium, and thedensity (amount of connections in a defined space) often limits whichtype or types of connectors can be used for connecting the fiber opticcables to the hub. One common connector design is referred to as LCconnectors. However, such connectors are limited to a count of 144fibers per panel, e.g., a standard 19″ wide panel with a standard heightof 1RU (rack unit), due to the physical size of the connector and thespace envelope available. Access to install or remove this type ofconnector is difficult at high densities.

Some LC connector designs include an extended pulling latch tofacilitate removal. However, such extended latches can increase theamount of precious space within the datacenter taken up by eachconnection. Moreover, the latch mechanisms must be manipulated directly,e.g., by a user's hand or fingers, and therefore accessibility is stillan issue.

Improved latching features, e.g., improved accessibility to release thelatching mechanism, for various connector types are thus desired.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in thefollowing description, or may be apparent from the description, or maybe learned through practice of the invention.

In a first exemplary embodiment, a push-pull connection is provided. Thepush-pull connection includes a push-pull boot connector extending alonga longitudinal direction from a proximal end to a distal end. Thepush-pull boot connector includes a connector housing defining theproximal end of the push-pull boot connector at a first end of thehousing. A second end of the connector housing is connected to a firstend of a strain relief boot. A second end of the strain relief bootdefines the distal end of the push-pull connector. A latch release rampis provided on one of the connector housing and the strain relief boot.The push-pull connection also includes an adapter having a channelconfigured to receive the proximal end of the push-pull boot connector.The adapter also includes a latch positioned in the channel of theadapter to engage the push-pull boot connector when the push-pull bootconnector moves relative to the adapter in a first direction along thelongitudinal direction. The latch retains the push-pull boot connectorin the channel of the adapter when the latch engages the push-pull bootconnector. The latch release ramp of the push-pull boot connector isconfigured to disengage the latch of the adapter from the push-pull bootconnector when the push-pull boot connector moves relative to theadapter in a second direction opposing the first direction.

In a second exemplary embodiment, a push-pull boot connector isprovided. The push-pull boot connector extends along a longitudinaldirection from a proximal end to a distal end. The proximal end of thepush-pull boot connector is configured to be retained in a channel of anadapter by a latch of the adapter. The push-pull boot connector includesa connector housing defining the proximal end of the push-pull bootconnector at a first end of the housing. A second end of the connectorhousing is connected to a first end of a strain relief boot. A secondend of the strain relief boot defines the distal end of the push-pullconnector. A latch release ramp is provided on one of the connectorhousing and the strain relief boot. The push-pull boot connector isconfigured to engage the latch of the adapter when the push-pull bootconnector is pushed into the adapter in a first direction along thelongitudinal direction. The latch release ramp is configured todisengage the latch of the adapter from the push-pull boot connectorwhen the push-pull boot connector is pulled out of the adapter in asecond direction opposing the first direction.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with reference to the followingdescription and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which areincorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrateembodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serveto explain the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including thebest mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is setforth in the specification, which makes reference to the appendedfigures.

FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of a push-pull boot connectoraccording to one or more exemplary embodiments of the present subjectmatter.

FIG. 2 provides an exploded view of the exemplary push-pull bootconnector of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 provides a section view of a push-pull connection according toone or more exemplary embodiments of the present subject matter.

FIG. 4 provides an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 provides a perspective view of a push-pull boot connectoraccording to one or more additional embodiments of the present subjectmatter.

FIG. 6 provides an exploded view of the exemplary push-pull bootconnector of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 provides a section view of a push-pull connection according toone or more additional exemplary embodiments of the present subjectmatter.

FIG. 8 provides an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 7 with a connectorrelease arm of the push-pull connection in a latched position.

FIG. 9 provides an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 7 with a connectorrelease arm of the push-pull connection in a release position.

FIG. 10 provides a perspective view of a push-pull boot connectoraccording to one or more additional embodiments of the present subjectmatter.

FIG. 11 provides an exploded view of the exemplary push-pull bootconnector of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 provides a section view of a push-pull connection according toone or more additional exemplary embodiments of the present subjectmatter.

FIG. 13 provides an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 provides a perspective view of a push-pull boot connectoraccording to one or more additional embodiments of the present subjectmatter.

FIG. 15 provides an exploded view of the exemplary push-pull bootconnector of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 provides a section view of a push-pull connection according toone or more additional exemplary embodiments of the present subjectmatter.

FIG. 17 provides an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 16.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention,one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Eachexample is provided by way of explanation of the invention, notlimitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be madein the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit ofthe invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as partof one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a stillfurther embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present inventioncovers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of theappended claims and their equivalents.

As used herein, terms of approximation such as “generally,” “about,” or“approximately” include values within ten percent greater or less thanthe stated value. When used in the context of an angle or direction,such terms include within ten degrees greater or less than the statedangle or direction, e.g., “generally vertical” includes forming an angleof up to ten degrees in any direction, e.g., clockwise orcounterclockwise, with the vertical direction.

FIG. 1 illustrates a push-pull boot connector 100 according to oneexemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 provides anexploded view of the push-pull connector 100 of FIG. 1. As illustratedin FIGS. 1 and 2, the push-pull boot connector 100 is a duplex unibootconnector, e.g., the push-pull boot connector 100 includes two ferrules208 and a single strain relief boot 300. The push-pull boot connector100 extends along a longitudinal direction L from a proximal end 102 toa distal end 104. The push-pull boot connector 100 includes a connectorhousing 200 defining the proximal end 102 of the push-pull bootconnector 100 at a first end 202 of the housing 200. A second end 204 ofthe connector housing 200 is connected to a first end 302 of the strainrelief boot 300 and a second end 304 of the strain relief boot 300defines the distal end 104 of the push-pull connector 100. As will bedescribed in more detail herein, pulling on the boot 300 allows therelease of the connector 100 from the adapter 400 (see, e.g., FIGS. 3and 4). Thus, the connector 100 may be a remote release connector andaccessibility to release the connector 100 may thereby be improved.

The strain relief boot 300 may include features to promote ease ofmanipulating the strain relief boot 300, e.g., for assisting a user ingripping the strain relief boot 300 to push the push-pull boot connector100 into a connection and/or to pull the push-pull boot connector 100out of a connection such as when installing or removing the connector ina hub such as a main distribution frame. For example, such features mayinclude one or more ridges 308 at or proximate to the second end 304 ofthe strain relief boot 300 which provide a profiled edge to assist ingripping the push-pull boot connector 100, e.g., with a user's fingers,at the second end 304 of the strain relief boot 300, which, as notedabove, defines the distal end 104 of the push-pull boot connector 100.Accordingly, the push-pull boot connector 100 may be a remote releasepush-pull boot connector, e.g., in that the user does not need access tothe proximal end 102 of the push-pull boot connector 100. Rather, theremote release connector 100 can be released by manipulating the strainrelief boot 300, which is remote, e.g., distal, from the point ofconnection at the proximal end 102 of the push-pull boot connector 100.

As may be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the push-pull connector 100 includes aferrule holder 206 which fits within the connector housing 200. One ormore ferrules 208 may be positioned in the ferrule holder 206 of theconnector housing 200. As is generally understood in the art, theferrules 208 are each configured for supporting and aligning an opticalfiber (not shown) in order to promote an optical connection of theoptical fibers in the ferrules 206 with, e.g., a receptacle in a maindistribution frame. The ferrules 208 may be biased forward, e.g.,towards the proximal end 102 of the push-pull boot connector 100, by apair of springs 210, each spring 210 of the pair of springs 210corresponding to one of the ferrules 208.

As best seen in FIG. 2, the connector housing 200 may further includevarious internal components for supporting and/or aligning the ferrules208 and any optical fibers therein, as well as for mounting thepush-pull boot connector 100 on a cable containing the optical fibers.For example, such internal components may include a bracket 212, a firstcollar 214 and a second collar 216. The bracket 212 may be positionedimmediately distal of the ferrules 208 and/or the springs 210, e.g.,when the internal components are installed within the connector housing200, such that the springs 210 may bias against the bracket 212 at oneend of the springs 210 and against a flange on each respective ferrule208 at the other end of the springs 210. The collars 214 and 216 may beconfigured to receive an open end of a cable containing the opticalfibers which are received in the ferrules 208 and secure the open end ofthe cable within the push-pull boot connector 100.

As mentioned above, the connector housing 200 is connected to the strainrelief boot 300. Such connection may be a clip-in connection, where theconnector housing 200 is connected to the strain relief boot 300 by aclip on one of the strain relief boot 300 and the connector housing 200,and the clip is engaged with a clip mating face on the other of thestrain relief boot 300 and the connector housing 200. For example, thestrain relief boot 300 may include one or more mating clips 306 (FIG. 2)which are engageable with corresponding clip mating face(s) 218 (FIG. 1)of the connector housing 200. When connected by such a clip-inconnection, the connector housing 200 and the strain relief boot 300 maythereby be free to move together along the longitudinal direction L.

As shown in FIG. 3, an example push-pull connection 10 includes thepush-pull boot connector 100 and an adapter 400. In various embodiments,the push-pull boot connector 100 also includes a latch release ramp 106on one of the connector housing 200 and the strain relief boot 300. Forexample, in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, the latch releaseramp 106 is positioned on the connector housing 200.

The adapter 400 includes a channel 406 configured to receive theproximal end 102 of the push-pull boot connector 100 and a latch 408positioned in the channel 406 of the adapter 400 to engage the push-pullboot connector 100 when the push-pull boot connector 100 moves relativeto the adapter 400 in a first direction 1000 along the longitudinaldirection L, e.g., into the channel 406 of the adapter 400. For example,in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, the adapter 400 is a duallatch adapter with a pair of opposing latches 408. As shown in FIGS. 3and 4, the pair of latches 408 are disposed at opposite sides of thechannel 406, e.g., a first latch 408 is disposed at the top of thechannel 406 and a second latch 408 is disposed at the bottom of thechannel 406, e.g., when the push-pull connection 10 is positioned asshown in FIG. 3. The latches 408 may be mirror images of one another,e.g., each latch 408 may extend into the channel 406 from one of theopposing sides towards the other latch 408. The latches 408 may eachengage with a recess or notch 220 in the connector housing 200 (FIGS. 1and 4). Through engagement of the latches 408 with the push-pull bootconnector 100, the latches 408 retain the push-pull boot connector 100in the channel 406 of the adapter 400 when the push-pull boot connector100 is inserted, e.g., pushed, into the channel 406 of the adapter 400.In embodiments where the latch 408 is a dual latch comprising a pair ofopposing latches 408, the push-pull boot connector 100 may include apair of latch release ramps 106 corresponding to the pair of opposinglatches 408. In such embodiments, each latch release ramp 106 of thepair of latch release ramps 106 may be configured to disengage acorresponding latch 408 of the pair of opposing latches 408 from thepush-pull boot connector 100 when the push-pull boot connector 100 movesin the second direction 2000 relative to the adapter 400, e.g., when thepush-pull boot connector 100 is pulled out of the adapter 400.

The latch release ramp 106 of the push-pull boot connector 100 may beconfigured to disengage the latch 408 of the adapter 400 from thepush-pull boot connector 100 when the push-pull boot connector 100 movesrelative to the adapter 400 in the second direction 2000. For example,as best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the latch release ramp 106 may be obliqueto the longitudinal direction L and may slope towards the distal end 104of the push-pull boot connector 100. The latch release ramp 106 mayextend from a high point at a proximal end of the latch release ramp106, the proximal end of the latch release ramp 106 being, e.g., an endof the latch release ramp 106 which is closer to or oriented towards theproximal end 102 of the push-pull boot connector 100, to a low point ata distal end of the latch release ramp 106, the distal end of the latchrelease ramp 106 being, e.g., an end of the latch release ramp 106 whichis closer to or oriented towards the distal end 104 of the push-pullboot connector 100. The latch release ramp 106 may be generally orientedor sloped opposite the latch 408, in order to disengage the latch 408 ofthe adapter 400 from the push-pull boot connector 100 when the push-pullboot connector 100 moves relative to the adapter 400 in the seconddirection 2000, e.g., when the push-pull boot connector 100 is pulledout of the adapter 400.

FIGS. 5-9 illustrate an additional embodiment of the present subjectmatter, where the push-pull boot connector 100 is a duplex unibootconnector. As shown in FIG. 6, the push-pull boot connector 100 mayinclude a collar 214 which serves as a crimp for a jacket or strengthmember of a fiber optic cable. In some embodiments, e.g., as illustratedin FIGS. 7-9, the latch 408 may be a single latch. As shown, the latch408 also may be provided as a leaf spring within the channel 406. Theleaf spring latch 408 of FIGS. 7-9 may be provided as a single latch408, as shown, or may be provided as a dual latch in other embodiments,e.g., one or more of the dual latches 408 shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 12, 13,16, and/or 17 may also be provided as leaf spring latches 408.

In the embodiment illustrated by FIGS. 5-9, the latch release ramp 106is positioned on the strain relief boot 300. As shown, the latch releaseramp 106 is positioned on a connector release arm 310 of the strainrelief boot 300. In such embodiments, the push-pull boot connector 100may include a spring 210 positioned generally between the connectorhousing 200 and the strain relief boot 300, such as between theconnector release arm 310 of the strain relief boot 300 and a shoulder222 on the connector housing 200, e.g., as shown in FIGS. 7-9. Thespring 210 may be configured to bias the connector release arm 310 inthe first direction 1000. As most easily seen in FIGS. 8 and 9, theconnector release arm 310 may be configured to move a fixed distancerelative to the connector housing 200 in the second direction 2000. Forexample, the connector release arm 310 may be biased to or towards alatched position, as shown, e.g., in FIGS. 5 and 8, by the spring 210.The connector release arm 310 may move the fixed distance from thelatched position of FIG. 8 to a release position, which is shown in FIG.9. The fixed distance may be defined by the shoulder 222 on theconnector housing 200, where the connector release arm 310 abuts theshoulder 222 when in the release position, as shown in FIG. 9. Once theconnector release arm 310 has reached the release position, theconnector housing 200 and the strain relief boot 300 may move togetherin the second direction 2000, e.g., as the push-pull boot connector 100is pulled out of the adapter 400. Once the pulling force is removed, thespring 210 may be configured to return the connector release arm 310 inthe first direction 1000 to the latched position from the releaseposition. As shown in FIG. 9, when the connector release arm 310 is inthe release position while the proximal end 102 of the push-pull bootconnector 100 is received within the channel 406 of the adapter 400, thelatch release ramp 106 biases the latch 408 outward, e.g., away from thepush-pull boot connector 100, to disengage the latch 408 from thepush-pull boot connector 100.

In some embodiments, e.g., as illustrated in FIGS. 10-13, the push-pullboot connector 100 may be a SC duplex uniboot connector. In suchembodiments, e.g., as shown in FIGS. 10-13, the latch release ramp 106may be provided on the connector housing 200 of the push-pull bootconnector 100. In some embodiments, the latch release ramp 106 may beprovided proximate the first end 202 of the connector housing 200 andclose to the portion of the connector housing 200 in which the ferruleholders 206 are received. As shown in FIG. 11, the push-pull bootconnector 100 may include two ferrules 208 and two corresponding ferruleholders 206, with the ferrules 208 biased forward, e.g., to or towardsthe proximal end 102 of the push-pull boot connector 100, by springs 210positioned between a flange on each ferrule 208 and a first collar 214.The push-pull boot connector 100 may further include a bracket 212distal of the first collar 214 and a second collar 216 distal of thebracket 212. One or both of the collars 214 and 216 may be configured toengage and support an end of a fiber optic cable containing the opticalfibers which are routed through the ferrules 208. As shown in FIGS. 12and 13, when the push-pull boot connector 100 moves relative to theadapter 400 in the second direction 2000, e.g., from the installedposition shown in FIG. 12 to the release position shown in FIG. 13, thelatch release ramp 106 biases the latch 408 outward, e.g., away from thepush-pull boot connector 100 along a third direction 3000 which isgenerally perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L, to disengagethe latch 408 from the push-pull boot connector 100.

As another example, the push-pull boot connector 100 may also be a SCsimplex connector, e.g., including a single ferrule 208 for a singleoptical fiber, as illustrated in FIGS. 14-17. In such embodiments, e.g.,as shown in FIGS. 14-17, the latch release ramp 106 may be provided onthe connector housing 200 of the push-pull boot connector 100. In someembodiments, the latch release ramp 106 may be provided proximate thefirst end 202 of the connector housing 200 and close to the portion ofthe connector housing 200 in which the ferrule holders 206 are received.

The present subject matter provides numerous advantages over the priorart, as will be apparent to those of ordinary skill. For example,utilization of an industry standard recognized connector design that hasa dual latching feature that does not protrude beyond the body of theconnector, therefore minimizing the space required for the connection tooccur. This in turn allows a greater density to be mounted within astandard footprint of one rack unit (1RU). The density of a 1RU panelcan be increased, e.g., up to 288 fibers. As another example, thecombination of a connector variant with a uniboot design minimizes cablevolume as compared to a design including more than one boot. Ease ofaccess to install or remove the push-pull boot connector 100 isincreased, e.g., in that the installation or removal can be performed bypushing or pulling on the connector boot 300 instead of needing accessto the connector housing 200. No remote pulling latch to hinder cablerouting or finger access is included. The foregoing are merely examplesof potential benefits and advantages the present subject matter mayprovide and are in no way limiting, the present subject matters mayprovide additional advantages, and embodiments of the present subjectmatter may not necessarily include any or all of the specific exampleadvantages described in this paragraph.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention,including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in theart to practice the invention, including making and using any devices orsystems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope ofthe invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examplesthat occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intendedto be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elementsthat do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if theyinclude equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differencesfrom the literal languages of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A push-pull connection for a fiber optic cable,comprising: a push-pull boot connector extending along a longitudinaldirection from a proximal end to a distal end, the push-pull bootconnector comprising a connector housing configured to receive the fiberoptic cable, the connector housing defining the proximal end of thepush-pull boot connector at a first end of the housing, a second end ofthe connector housing connected to a first end of a strain relief boot,a second end of the strain relief boot defining the distal end of thepush-pull connector, and a latch release ramp on one of the connectorhousing and the strain relief boot; and an adapter comprising a channelconfigured to receive the proximal end of the push-pull boot connector,a latch positioned in the channel of the adapter to engage the push-pullboot connector when the push-pull boot connector moves relative to theadapter in a first direction along the longitudinal direction, the latchof the adapter received in a notch of the push-pull boot connector whenthe proximal end of the push-pull boot connector is received in thechannel of the adapter whereby the latch retains the push-pull bootconnector in the channel of the adapter when the latch engages thepush-pull boot connector; wherein the latch release ramp of thepush-pull boot connector contacts the latch and pushes the latch out ofthe notch to disengage the latch of the adapter from the push-pull bootconnector when the push-pull boot connector, including the latch releaseramp thereon, moves relative to the adapter in a second directionopposing the first direction.
 2. The push-pull connection of claim 1,wherein the latch release ramp is oblique to the longitudinal directionand slopes towards the distal end of the push-pull boot connector. 3.The push-pull connection of claim 1, wherein the latch release ramp ispositioned on the connector housing.
 4. The push-pull connection ofclaim 1, wherein the latch release ramp is positioned on a connectorrelease arm of the strain relief boot.
 5. The push-pull connection ofclaim 4, further comprising a spring configured to bias the connectorrelease arm in the first direction, wherein the connector release arm isconfigured to move a fixed distance relative to the connector housing inthe second direction to a release position, wherein the connectorhousing and the strain relief boot move together in the second directionwhen the connector release arm is in the release position, and whereinthe spring is configured to return the connector release arm to alatched position from the release position.
 6. The push-pull connectionof claim 1, wherein the latch of the adapter is a dual latch comprisinga pair of opposing latches, and wherein the push-pull boot connectorcomprises a pair of latch release ramps, each latch release ramp of thepair of latch release ramps configured to disengage a correspondinglatch of the pair of opposing latches from the push-pull boot connectorwhen the push-pull boot connector is pulled out of the adapter in thesecond direction.
 7. The push-pull connection of claim 1, wherein theconnector housing is connected to the strain relief boot by a clip onone of the strain relief boot and the connector housing engaged with aclip mating face on the other of the strain relief boot and theconnector housing, whereby the connector housing and the strain reliefboot are free to move together along the longitudinal direction.
 8. Thepush-pull connection of claim 1, wherein the connector housing comprisesa ferrule holder, the push-pull boot connector further comprising aferrule in the ferrule holder of the connector housing, the ferruleconfigured for supporting and aligning an optical fiber.
 9. Thepush-pull connection of claim 1, wherein the strain relief bootcomprises a profiled edge at the second end of the strain relief boot.10. A push-pull boot connector extending along a longitudinal directionfrom a proximal end to a distal end, the proximal end of the push-pullboot connector configured to be retained in a channel of an adapter by alatch of the adapter, the push-pull boot comprising: a connector housingconfigured to receive a fiber optic cable, the connector housingdefining the proximal end of the push-pull boot connector at a first endof the housing, a second end of the connector housing connected to afirst end of a strain relief boot, a second end of the strain reliefboot defining the distal end of the push-pull connector, and a latchrelease ramp on one of the connector housing and the strain relief boot;wherein the push-pull boot connector comprises a notch configured toengage the latch of the adapter when the push-pull boot connector ispushed into the adapter in a first direction along the longitudinaldirection and wherein the latch release ramp contacts the latch andpushes the latch out of the notch to disengage the latch of the adapterfrom the push-pull boot connector when the push-pull boot connector ispulled out of the adapter in a second direction opposing the firstdirection.
 11. The push-pull boot connector of claim 10, wherein thelatch release ramp is oblique to the longitudinal direction and slopestowards the distal end of the push-pull boot connector.
 12. Thepush-pull boot connector of claim 10, wherein the latch release ramp ispositioned on the connector housing.
 13. The push-pull boot connector ofclaim 10, wherein the latch release ramp is positioned on a connectorrelease arm of the strain relief boot.
 14. The push-pull boot connectorof claim 13, further comprising a spring configured to bias theconnector release arm in the first direction, wherein the connectorrelease arm is configured to move a fixed distance relative to theconnector housing in the second direction to a release position, whereinthe connector housing and the strain relief boot move together in thesecond direction when the connector release arm is in the releaseposition, and wherein the spring is configured to return the connectorrelease arm to a latched position from the release position.
 15. Thepush-pull boot connector of claim 10, wherein the push-pull bootconnector comprises a pair of latch release ramps, each latch releaseramp of the pair of latch release ramps configured to disengage acorresponding latch of a pair of opposing latches of the adapter fromthe push-pull boot connector when the push-pull boot connector is pulledout of the adapter in the second direction.
 16. The push-pull bootconnector of claim 10, wherein the connector housing is connected to thestrain relief boot by a clip on one of the strain relief boot and theconnector housing engaged with a clip mating face on the other of thestrain relief boot and the connector housing, whereby the connectorhousing and the strain relief boot are free to move together along thelongitudinal direction.
 17. The push-pull boot connector of claim 10,wherein the connector housing comprises a ferrule holder, the push-pullboot connector further comprising a ferrule in the ferrule holder of theconnector housing, the ferrule configured for supporting and aligning anoptical fiber.
 18. The push-pull boot connector of claim 10, wherein thestrain relief boot comprises a profiled edge at the second end of thestrain relief boot.